F-16 Fighting Falcon News

September 1, 2003 (by Stefaan Vanhastel) - The US government has offered a nine billion US dollar arms sale to Pakistan to help it shore up its defence capability. The exact content of the package is yet to be discussed, but the upgrade of Pakistan's existing F-16A/B fleet and the purchase of 40 new F-16s will be discussed.
Pakistan and US military officials will meet for 5 days in Washington to discuss the arms deal and Pakistan's "wish list" which contains vision devices, missiles and radars. Oe of the major weapon systems on the list is undoubtedly the F-16. Pakistan desperately wants to upgrade its existing fleet of 40 F-16A/B block 15 aircraft and is looking to purchase 40 additional F-16s. Pakistan has been wanting for years to purchase new F-16s but was unable to do so due to a US embargo which stopped delivery of a second order for 28 F-16s to Pakistan, and stalled an additional order for 43 F-16s.



The Pakistan delegation led by Defence Secretary Lt Gen Hamid Nawaz (retd) will also discuss arms and equipment purchase for its navy and airforce with their US counterparts. The two sides would also discuss training oppurtunities for Pakistani military officials in the US and consider joint military excercises.